Restoring a Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

Article 32: Restoring a Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

By: A Woodworker Passionate About Preservation

Mid-century modern pieces are prized for their clean lines and understated elegance. Restoring one takes patience, light touch, and respect for original design.

Materials

• Original table (solid wood veneer or hardwood)

• Wood filler (stainable)

• Water-based stripper (if needed)

• Finishing oil (e.g., Rubio Monocoat, Danish oil)

• 320-grit sandpaper

• Felt pads for legs

Tools Needed

• Card scraper or putty knife

• Palm sander (optional)

• Cotton rags

• Clamp (for fixing delamination)

• Wood glue

Restoration Steps

1. Assess Condition
   Identify loose joints, missing veneer, stains, or structural flaws.

2. Clean and Strip Surface
   Use a water-based stripper sparingly. Avoid over-sanding—especially with veneers.

3. Repair Damage
   Fill small chips with stainable filler. Reglue loose veneer or split legs with clamps.

4. Sand and Finish
   Sand gently with 320 grit. Apply oil finish using rags in thin coats.

5. Final Touches
   Add felt pads to legs. Buff gently after 48 hours for sheen.

Diagram – Typical Mid-Century Table

Top View:
 _______________________
|                       |
|        Surface        |
|_______________________|

Side View:
     _________
    |         | ← Tapered top
    |         |
   /           \ ← Angled legs
  /             \
 /_______________\